Veterans Education

GI Bill® 

"GI Bill®" is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website.

• Certifying Official Online Training
  
• GI Bill® Eligibility Requirements/GI Bill Rates

Benefits

GI Bill benefits help you pay for college, graduate school, and training programs. Since 1944, the GI Bill has helped qualifying Veterans and their family members get money to cover all or some of the costs for school or training.

Basic Eligibility for GI Bill® Benefits

This information can be used as a guide. However, an application must be submitted to VA on VA Form 22-1990 for a formal eligibility determination. If you have drawn VA education assistance before, the application form will be VA Form 22-1995. Applications and additional information are available on the GI Bill® website

Learn about and compare your GI Bill benefits at approved schools, employers, and VET TEC providers

Learn more about education benefit rates for tuition and books for qualifying Veterans and their family members

Interested in receiving your GI Bill® benefits through an apprenticeship or on-the-job training program at one of Pennsylvania's many approved establishments? How about receiving your benefits while you attend post-secondary schooling? Take a look through our brochures below and find what is right for you.

• Your Keystone to GI Bill® Benefits (PDF)
• On-The-Job Training or Apprenticeship Training (PDF)

If you are an employer and would like to have your company approved, read the Employers Guide to Recordkeeping (PDF). If you have any questions about any of the information please contact us.

Course Scheduling Benefit for PA Veterans

Eligible veterans are entitled to priority course scheduling at Pennsylvania community colleges, state system universities and state related universities.

For more information, contact the Office of Veterans Affairs/Services at the college or university you plan to attend. The Higher Education Course Scheduling Preference for Veterans Act (Act 46 of 2014) requires public institutions of higher education in Pennsylvania to provide veteran students, as defined in the Act, with preference in course scheduling.

In-State Tuition

Limited residency status is granted for the purpose of providing for attendance at public institutions of higher learning in Pennsylvania.  There are three categories of eligibility requirements: 

• Military personnel, their spouses and dependent children assigned to an active duty station in Pennsylvania and residing in Pennsylvania (regardless of his/her formal state of residence);
• Department of Defense Civilian Employees, their spouses and dependent children residing in Pennsylvania (regardless of his/her formal state of residence); Veterans, their spouses, dependent children, other individual*.  Student must be using GI Bill® benefits and reside in Pennsylvania (Regardless of his/her formal state of residence)

Eligible students will be charged the following: 

• In-State Tuition Rate (This also applies to distance learning tuition for any active military personnel and their dependents who reside in the Commonwealth regardless of his/her formal state of residence)
• Lowest local sponsor tuition rate (Community Colleges)​

State Approving Agency (SAA)

The Veterans/Military Education Division of the Pennsylvania Department of Education has been designated by the Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as the State Approving Agency for Training of Veterans/Eligible persons and reservists in the field of institutional training, correspondence training, flight training, apprenticeship training, and other on-the-job training under the provisions of Chapters 30, 32, 33, 34, 35 and 36 of Title 38, United States Code, Chapters 1606 and 1607 of Title 10, United States Code.

Mission

• To insure every veteran/eligible person and reservist a full and fair opportunity to reach his or her full potential. 
• To confine educational benefits to serious programs of education, training, and testing.
• To assure quality instruction and ethical administration for every veteran/eligible person and reservist who enters an approved educational or training program.
• To protect state prerogatives and shield institutions and training establishments from direct federal control. 
• To increase the awareness of every veteran/eligible person and reservist concerning the full range of both educational and training opportunities available in the Commonwealth.
• To assist the Department of Veterans Affairs in preventing fraud, waste, and abuse in the administration of the GI Bill®. 

Organization

The Division of Veterans/Military Education, officially known as the Pennsylvania State Approving Agency, is administratively located within the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Bureau of Postsecondary and Adult Education; with a field office located in Pittsburgh. 

Funding

The State Approving Agency in Pennsylvania is 100 percent Federally Funded and we operate under an annual reimbursement contract with the Department of Veterans Affairs. 

Forms

The Pennsylvania State Approving Agency (SAA) approves programs so veterans and dependents can use their GI Bill® Benefits.

Please contact a Veterans Education Advisor to receive a copy of the current uniform application.

Veterans/Military Education Directory

Pennsylvania State Approving Agency

Email: RA-VetEd@pa.gov | Website: http://www.education.pa.gov/veterans

Emily Butler, Chief, Division Of Veterans And Military Education | Email: emibutler@pa.gov

Department of Veterans Affairs

Buffalo Regional Office
VARPO (VA Regional Processing Office)
P. O. Box 4616
Buffalo, NY 14240-4616
Phone: 1-888-442-4551
Fax: 716-857-3296 (Schools) | Fax: 716-857-3274 (Apprenticeship/OJT)
Website: Education and Training Home (va.gov)
File for Benefits: How To Apply For The GI Bill And Related Benefits | Veterans Affairs (va.gov)​

Veterans Administration - Nationwide

• Compensation & Pension, Home Loans, Vocational Rehabilitation, Survivor's Benefits, Pharmacy Benefits, Burial Benefits, & Champva, Life Insurance, Health Care | Phone: 1-844-MYVA311 (1-844-698-2311)
• Direct Deposit Central | Phone: 877-838-2778
• Debt Management Center | Phone: 800-827-0648
• Work Study Coordinator, Susan Biro (Buffalo RPO) | Phone: 716-857-3146
• Order VA F​orms and Publications | Phone: 716-857-3391 | Fax: 716-857-3396

Please note that most forms can be obtained at the G.I. Bill Website:Education and Training Home (va.gov)​ or Find A VA Form | Veterans Affairs

Other Resources

• Fort Indiantown Gap Ed​ucation Services Center​
• NASAA (National Association State Approving Agencies)
• Pennsylvania Department ​of Veterans and Military Affairs
• PA CareerLink Veteran S​ervices